Chapter 484 328: Legends of the Butian Great God

"The First Emperor reigned for one hundred and ninety-nine years?! Is the First Emperor still alive?"

Liu Jing gasped upon hearing Yun Ni's words, feeling deeply uneasy.

"Isn't the Martial Arts Grandmaster supposed to live no more than one hundred and twenty years?"

In Zhuxia since ancient times, Martial Dao is divided into four realms: Skin Refining, Bone Forging, Blood Exchange, Training the Internal Organs. Those who train the internal organs are called Martial Arts Grandmasters, capable of eating an ox a day. Beyond that, experts speculate that without compressing energy, the ancients could not continue in cultivation.

The human body's limit is one hundred and twenty, but common people can barely reach it.

"The First Emperor's era is too distant. I... have only heard fragments from my ancestors."

"That tyrant resides in the Changle Palace of Qing Country. Ruthless officials under his command are like wolves and tigers, disregarding human life, indulging in excessive luxury daily, ignoring the suffering of the mortal world."

Yun Ni shook her head and replied truthfully, "As for whether the First Emperor is still alive at the venerable age of two hundred... I do not know. I only often hear Mr. Chen say that the Martial Dao of the First Emperor is unfathomable, surpassing all sages and emperors in history."

"Mr. Chen?"

Liu Jing was taken aback.

The Mr. Chen mentioned by Yun Ni is Chen Rui, precisely his military advisor and benefactor since his rise to power.

Perhaps, Mr. Chen knows the secret of the First Emperor.

Liu Jing pondered deeply, rising with great determination from the warm embrace. He and Yun Ni adjusted their attire and called,

"Where is Mr. Chen?"

Not long after, the tent curtain was lifted, and a middle-aged man in scholar's robes, with a gaunt face, swiftly entered.

"Chen Rui, minister, pays respects to the King."

Liu Jing hurried three steps to reach Chen Rui, grasping his slender wrist with his rough hand. He waved everyone away, and once they were alone, he spoke in a low voice:

"Sir, you are from the previous dynasty's royal family. Discuss the matters of Zhuxia before Qing Country with Jing."

Before his memory awoke, he was originally a farmer's son, having risen to where he is now, not completely illiterate. But when it comes to understanding this era, naturally, he cannot compare to the noble-born Chen Rui.

Chen Rui remained silent for a long time before saying, "The Eight Hundred Feudal States of Zhuxia were defeated by the First Emperor in the Battle of Mu Ye, and the ducal royals were demoted to commoners."

"The tyrant gathered all the gold in the realm to forge the Changle Palace, severing Martial Dao heritage. Any slight defiance leads to extermination of nine generations." Chen Rui's voice was deep and resentful, "The King appeared by Celestial Mandate, the only hope for the people."

"..." Liu Jing stared at the unyielding Chen Rui.

Chen Rui glanced deeply at him, "Xiang Family's army of one hundred thousand is already a hundred li away at Yingshui Plain. Though our army numbers a million, most are newly recruited farmers, unlikely to withstand the Xiang Family's elite troops. The King should make a prompt decision."

Liu Jing contemplated for a moment, "Let Mr. Chen decide on this matter."

A hint of surprise flashed in Chen Rui's eyes, quickly replaced by relief, "I'll make arrangements immediately."

After Chen Rui's departure.

Liu Jing squinted, secretly summoning his confidant, "Have someone secretly collect previous dynasty records, especially those pertaining to the Battle of Mu Ye and the First Emperor's reign."

Zhuxia archaeology, historical records halt at the First Emperor. Beyond that, all are stories akin to myth.

He and his teacher excavated the "Tomb of the First Emperor" to uncover the deeper historical truth of Zhuxia. Though his soul transmigrated here, the Qing Country fell by the second generation, but this first generation lasted even longer than most subsequent unified dynasties.

...

...

Three days later, Liu Jing, in armor, stood atop a hill, overlooking the spectacular scene of two opposing armies on the plains below.

Millions of rebel forces spread like a tide to the horizon, yet Xiang Family's army, though comparatively few, maintained a strict formation, with killing intent surging skyward.

Liu Jing was alarmed.

Such elites can fend off a hundred, and on the battlefield, morale is paramount, not sheer numbers. Should Xiang Family's army charge, his million troops won't withstand, scattering instantly.

"Xiang Family's 'Iron Eagle Guard' all practice Martial Dao, only three thousand but capable of opposing a force of a hundred thousand." Chen Rui explained from the side, "Fortunately, the King wisely invited Master Xuanlingzi."

Liu Jing turned to the silent gray-robed elder beside him. Xuanlingzi was thin, face hidden in a wide hood.

"Please, Master, cast your spell." Liu Jing said.

Xuanlingzi didn't speak, but slowly stepped forward, planting his wooden staff into the ground. He formed intricate hand seals, chanting. Initially, nothing happened, and Liu Jing even heard disdainful snorts from several generals behind him.

Yet in the next moment, the ground began to tremble.

Initially, it was a faint shake, quickly escalating into a violent quake. Liu Jing had to clutch the flagpole beside him to steady himself. On the plain, the Xiang Family's neatly arrayed ranks started to unravel, horses shrieking, soldiers tumbling.

"Earth Dragon Flipping Over!" Someone shouted in horror.

But Liu Jing knew this was no ordinary earthquake. He witnessed the ground at the place where Xuanlingzi's staff was embedded crack open, a thin seam from which crimson light seeped like blood, flowing towards Xiang Family's army. Everywhere the red light passed, the ground writhed like a living being, swallowing the entire army.

More terrifying was the sky. The previously clear blue turned ominous with a mass of clouds gathering, not ordinary clouds—these clouds appeared bizarrely dark green, rolling like giant beasts pressing down on Xiang Family's army.

Blood-red lightning flickered through the clouds, every bolt striking down incinerating dozens of soldiers to ashes.

"Divine Power..." Chen Rui murmured, eyes gleaming with feverish light, "The Master has summoned the dormant power of this land!"

Yet Liu Jing felt a chill crawl down his spine.

Wherever the red light flowed, vegetation instantly withered, the soil turning ashen gray. Distant villages were also affected, thatched roofs collapsing under invisible force, faintly hearing the screams of villagers.

Unofficial history records—Xiang Family troops defy the Celestial Mandate, bringing down divine wrath. Earth Dragon Flipping Over, heaven descends with lightning, flood, fire, three days, within a hundred li, no remains.